> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.paintscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.paintscout.com/support/estimating/estimating-with-paintscout.md). # Estimating Overview Create, send, and manage professional estimates in PaintScout using production rates, line items, and customer-ready proposals. {% hint style="success" %} **Start here:** New to PaintScout estimating? Begin with [Understanding Production Rates](/support/customization/pricing-and-rates/introduction-to-production-rate-estimation.md) and [Calculate Your Hourly Rate](/support/customization/pricing-and-rates/how-to-calculate-your-hourly-rate.md). {% endhint %} PaintScout helps you build consistent estimates from your production rates, hourly rate, line items, and customer-ready proposals. This section covers the full workflow, from creating an estimate to sending it, managing revisions, and sharing work orders with your crew. ## In This Section * [Creating Estimates](/support/estimating/creating-estimates.md) — Start a new estimate, learn the estimate page, use the sidebar, and manage estimate actions * [Areas & Rates](/support/estimating/areas-and-rates.md) — Add areas and production rates, then adjust dimensions, coats, and prep hours * [Line Items & Options](/support/estimating/line-items-and-options.md) — Add fixed-price work, create customer options, and manage change orders * [Organizing Estimates](/support/estimating/organizing-estimates.md) — Group content, hide internal items, copy estimate content, and add media * [Notes & Communication](/support/estimating/notes-and-communication.md) — Use estimator notes, crew notes, and other note types to keep everyone aligned * [Sending & Acceptance](/support/estimating/sending-and-acceptance.md) — Send proposals, collect signatures, and understand the customer acceptance flow * [Managing estimates & work orders](/support/estimating/managing-estimates-and-work-orders.md) — Review activity, restore versions, search records, export results, archive estimates, and share crew-facing work orders ## Recommended first reads * [Understanding Production Rates](/support/customization/pricing-and-rates/introduction-to-production-rate-estimation.md) — Learn how PaintScout turns measurements into hours and pricing * [Calculate Your Hourly Rate](/support/customization/pricing-and-rates/how-to-calculate-your-hourly-rate.md) — Build an hourly rate that covers costs and profit * [What is a Sales Rate?](/support/estimating/creating-estimates/what-is-a-sales-rate.md) — Understand total price compared to total project hours --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://help.paintscout.com/support/estimating/estimating-with-paintscout.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.